Lent in the Eastern Church

what is Easter preceded by?

The most important fasting season in the church year, known as Great Lent or the Great Fast

what is Great Lent preceded by?

A three-week period of preparation, and is followed by Holy Week leading up to Easter Day

when does the first week of Great Lent start?

On Clean Monday

what does the name Clean Week refer to?

The spiritual cleansing of the faithful

what is there throughout the week?

Strict fasting

what does the second week of Great Lent commemorate?

St Gregory Palamas, one of the great saints of the Orthodox church

what happens on the Sunday of the third week?

It is the midpoint of the Great Fast - the Veneration of the Cross is celebrated. During an all-night Vigil the priest brings a cross out into the centre of the church, where it is venerated by all

what is the fourth week an extension of?

The Veneration of the Cross

who is the Saturday of the fifth week dedicated to?

Theotokos (Mother of God) and is known as Akathist Saturday, because a hymn of Mary is sung during Matins

how does Great Lent end?

With Vespers on the Friday of the 6th week, and is followed by Lazarus Saturday, which celebrate the resuscitation of Lazarus as a foreshadowing of the resurrection of Jesus

When do Holy Week services begin?

On the night of Palm Sunday. The blessing of palms takes place at Matins on Sunday Morning

During Holy Week, what does each day have?

It’s own theme

what is the theme of Monday?

Holy and Great Monday: Joseph as a type of Christ; the cursing of the Fig Tree

what si the theme of Tuesday?

Holy and Great Tuesday: the Parable of the Ten virgins

what is the theme of Wednesday?

Holy and Great Wednesday: the anointing of Jesus at Bethany

what is the theme of Thursday?

The Mystical Supper. This is a more festive day than the others because it celebrates the institution of the Eucharist

Define what happens on Holy and Great Friday?

Jesus’ Passion, this is a strict fast day. There are morning and afternoon and evening services of great solemnity. The evening service includes Lamentation Praises which reflect Mary's lament for her son

what is placed on an ornate bier? (Friday)

A cloth icon, known as the epitaphios, representing the sheet in which Jesus was buried in. The bier represents Jesus’ tomb

what does the Priest do to the ornate bier?

Sprinkles the tomb with rose water and fresh rose petals

define what happens on Great Saturday.

Jesus’ burial and his Descent into Hell. Another day of strict fasting. Services combine elements of sorrow and joy. At the beginning of the morning service, the liturgical colour is still black, but jdut before the Gospel reading it is changed to white and the atmosphere of the service turns from sorrow to joy

what does priest sprinkle the church with?

Fresh bay leaves to symbolise Jesus’ victory over death. His salvific work has now been accmplished. The good news of his resurrection has, however, will only be proclaimed during the Pascal Vigil

what is the Pascal Vigil?

The Easter service that is the first official celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus